Best Teaching Practices

Simulations and Role Play

As a teaching tool, simulations gained popularity in training pilots and firefighters. Simulations are particularly useful when a real-life process takes too long (formation of fossils), is too dangerous (volcanic eruptions), is too expensive or inaccessible (forces experienced on a roller coaster), has safety-related issues (manufacturing processes) or may happen too quickly to study (chemical change). The technique can be a powerful motivator to promote students' learning of the concept. Computer simulations allow students to try things that would be impossible or very difficult to do in real life.

Simulations can facilitate students' thinking as they make and explore predictions and to identify patterns and relationships. Because simulation problem solving can impact the amount and quality of students' writing, communication skills, and interpersonal interactions, they are useful for ELL and students whose educational plan includes modifications. Students have fun while participating in worthwhile educational simulations.

In choosing a simulation program, one should consider several questions - is the simulation realistic? Is the simulation targeted to the developmental level of the student? Is there a good fit between the simulation and the reality it is representing? Is there more than one solution to the problem/challenge posed? Are the activities designed to encourage students to enhance the activity through their own ideas? Does the simulation provide any "hands-on" so that students become participants, not just listeners or observers? Does the simulation have realistic technology-related requirements? How will the use of the simulation enhance the learning (not just the fun) of the students? How will you assess this learning?

The use of simulations puts the teacher into a new role -- no longer that of a presenter of information. Simulations as a teaching tool require that teachers see their students as active constructors of their learning and no longer just as sponges for facts.

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Science teachers face challenges that affect the quality of instruction. Tight budgets, limited resources, school schedules, and other obstacles limit students' opportunities to experience science that is visual and interactive. Incorporating web-based Java applets into science instruction offers a practical solution to these challenges, and allows students to hone critical thinking skills. When students interact with applets that complement or enrich the demonstration, students experience individual and interactive experiences that reinforce the "real" demonstration. Moreover, such experiences allow for recognition and discussion of the strength and weaknesses of using simulations in science. Figure 4, which includes websites with well-constructed applets, can help teachers get started.

A series of lessons were taught in a second-grade classroom to assist students' conceptual understanding of celestial motion. After assessing student misconceptions about space and the movement of planets and the Sun, the teacher engaged the students in role-playing, group work, and computer simulations. These teaching strategies were effective for enhancing students' conceptual understanding. Having students compare past and current ideas seemed to be the most critical part of the lesson. Revisiting their ideas allows students to connect new ideas to their existing knowledge and replace misconceptions with scientific ideas. It also informs the educator about the effectiveness of their teaching, by allowing them to see each student's growth in terms of correcting their misconceptions in many different forms, such as drawing and role-play.

Recent legislation, such as No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments of 1997 and 2004, emphasizes the importance of teaching students with mild disabilities in the general education classroom using the general curriculum. Consequently, students with learning problems take a variety of science courses, including biology, chemistry, and Earth science, that require complex cognitive skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting data. Many of these students, in fact, are in college preparatory courses and tracks. Because of the emphasis on high-level thinking skills, science courses may be particularly challenging for students with learning problems. This article summarizes some common characteristics of students with learning problems who typically take high school science courses and presents modifications for instruction to help these students and their teachers experience success.